By Rita Esegine
The Minority Leader in the red chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has expressed his satisfaction at the strategic consistent campaign activities of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s immediate past Chief Press Secretary, Mr Eyinnaya Appolos, ahead of his political ambition to win and represent Obingwa West State Constituency at Abia State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections.
Abaribe, from Obingwa West and the Senator who represents the people of Abia South Senatorial District, and currently vying for Abia State governorship seat under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), told Appolos that his steps are in the right direction, therefore he will succeed.
Speaking at Enyinnya Appolos’s official declaration meeting with Obingwa West political big wigs held in Isikor village, western wing of Obingwa LGA on Saturday 26 March 2022, Senator Abaribe who is the highest ranking PDP political office holder in Nigeria, admonished Appolos not to be distracted by number of contestants that will join the race with him but rather be focus, resilience and take more strategic steps towards winning the votes of the party delegates and the electorates.
“You have done the right thing. Telling the people your intention and seeking their support means you value them. Go all out and show the people you can do the job. Continue to do your best in the end, the ballots will decide. Show strength and when you show strength. You will succeed. Politics is not about seeing anybody as an enemy because they have different interests. Everyone has to contest and that makes for a healthy democracy. I am confidence that you (Enyinnya Appolos) will make an effective representative.” Abaribe, added.
Addressing the political kingmakers that gathered on his call, Mr Appolos, who recently resigned his appointment as the Special Adviser to Governor Ikeazu owing to his political interest, pleaded with PDP stakeholders and supporters to give him their total support, promising that he will be an impactful, responsive and accessible representative of the people of Obingwa West State Constituency.
The former CPS further told PDP faithfuls that his intention to represent Obingwa West, stems from his desire to take up the duty to bring to the yearnings of his people an all inclusive legislation, which he said is a void he will fill beyond the average.
“One of the major duties of a legislator to his constituency is to receive complains and proffer solutions to need of his people. I am going to fill that gap because I am accessible, I am reachable, my people can always find me and see me whenever they want. This is among the things am representation will do differently.” Appolos, said.
Furthermore, he added; “My wealth of experience as a journalist for many years in the political terrain will boost my competency to deliver impactful performance as the people of Obingwa West find me worthy to represent them.
“I was a political reporter as a journalist. I reported politics and I have being around politicians for many years. So I am assertive that i have enough knowledge and the capacity it takes to move from the newsroom to a congressman. And to represent my people and bring dividends of democracy to them”.
While he eulogized Governor Ikpeazu for given him a first hand political exposure through appointments in different tasking capacities, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Eziuche Ubani, for their political tutelage, he noted that he prides himself a political son of the Governor.
Appolos went on to dismiss rumours that he has received endorsements from Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Rt. Hon. Eziuche Ubani and other political stakeholders in Obingwa. He said that he only consulted the Governor and other stakeholders just like any other person in the race.
“The Governor has not endorsed me, he was the first person I discussed my political interest with. I am the only political son of the Governor in this Constituency. What I mean by that is that i am the only person in the race who has not tested political office before Dr. Ikpeazu became governor, so I am the only person that the governor can vauche for as the person he made politically, I am the only person.
“And I am not banking on that. If I am banking on the fact that Hon. Eziuche Ubani is my elder brother, If I am banking on the fact that I am in good terms with Senator Abaribe and every other person in Obingwa, I should be sleeping.
“I am still going around asking for people’s endorsements. I am still talking with the stakeholders, the delegates and even the people on the streets and I am sure they are going to give me this mandate.” He, added.
Top among PDP Obingwa West big wings present at the meeting are: Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Rt. Hon. Eziuche Ubani, Chief Ibe Nwadioha, Chief Seth Agomuo, Hon. Sopuruchi Nwabekee, Chief Benjamin Nwankpa, Chief Ezinwa Abiri, Abia State born former captain of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Uche Okechukwu, Elder S.M.C Eze, Obingwa LGA Chairman represented by his Deputy, Hon. Uloma Okezie, chairmen of Uhie 6 wards and their leaders, as well as councillors.
End.
